The Nokia 5800 is a Symbian S60 smartphone and a portable entertainment device. A phone in the XpressMusic series, the 5800 emphasizes multimedia and music playback. Although the phone does possess tactile feedback, it does not feature the upcoming Haptikos Nokia technology. The device does have a compatibility mode for those applications requiring the use of Java that are not touchscreen-capable. To run programs in this mode, part of the screen is used for displaying the buttons that are essential to running the program.
The specifications included with the 5800 include a resistive, 3.2-inch 16M touchscreen; use of the Symbian S60 fifth edition operating system, with touch input; accelerometer for auto-screen rotation; a 3.2 megapixel, auto focus Carl Zeiss lens with dual LED flash and geo-tagging support; Global Positioning (GPS) system with A-GPS function; FM radio (87.5 to 108 MHz) with RDS; 8 GB microSDHC card; a microSDHC card slot up to 16 GB; 360 x 640 pixels resolution at a 9:16 display ratio; and a 3.5 mm headphone/video-out jack.
The 5800 introduces a drop-down menu, which provides direct access to entertainment and music, known as the "Media Bar." The bar also offers the opportunity to directly link to the Internet and to online sharing services. Since the phone supports Flash, users can surf the entirety of the Internet from the phone. The 5800 also provides music essentials such as a graphic equalizer, enough memory to hold up to 6,000 songs and built-in surround sound stereo speakers. Users can easily access the Nokia Music Store (in countries where applicable) and the Nokia Music PC software allows for the easy management of large music collections.
There are several input methods available for use with this phone, including plectrum, finger-touch support and stylus for text input and also UI control, which uses full and mini QWERTY keyboards, handwriting recognition, and an alphanumeric keypad. The 5800 also has the capabilities to connect to mobile broadband using HSDPA (3.5 G) or WLAN.
The phone was announced in October 2008 with a suggested retail price of ?279. In a suspected move toward not putting other Nokia product sales in peril, Nokia held the phone from Christmas sales in several more matured markets. The phone is expected to be available in all of Europe in early 2009. There is not yet an Asia-Pacific release date and beginning Dec. 14, 2008, the European version was available for purchase by those in the United States. A North American version is expected at the end of February 2009 and it will have an Australian release March 25, 2009.
Nokia announced Jan. 23, 2009, that it had shipped its millionth 5800 device, despite the fact that the product had as yet not been released worldwide. The phone, which has generally received positive reviews from both users and critics, and which received a 5-star rating in the Feb. 8, 2009, issue of "Mobile Choice," a UK phone magazine, can be seen in prototype form in 2008's "The Dark Night" and in 2008 music videos by Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears.
With so many houses on the market right now, many of which are priced quite low, buyers may consider buying a home without the help of a real estate agent. After all, buyers can now view property listings on the internet, so what do you need a realtor for? Well, real estate agents do a number of things for their clients including:
1) They'll Save you Time
It's true that you can view MLS listings online with relative ease, but it can be difficult to narrow down or tailor the search parameters enough so that you're not faced with page after page of property listings. A realtor will take the information you've given him and refine the listings so that you're only looking at properties that are right for you. If you're looking for a home in a particular neighborhood, with a large backyard and 3 bathrooms, he'll take that information and find the homes that meet that particular criterion. And he'll not only look for homes on the local MLS database, but he'll also keep his ear to the ground for places that haven't officially been put on the market yet.
A good real estate agent will also preview the properties for you, so that you don't waste time looking at houses that aren't a good match. Once he's found a nice selection of homes, he'll take you on a tour of the houses, explaining the highlights and downsides that inevitably come with every home. Having a personal guide walk you through can be immensely helpful, as he's there to answer all your questions, including ones you may have about the neighborhood?like nearby schools and amenities. He can also advise you on whether the house will be a good investment over the long term, and suggest a competitive offer price.
2) They Can Save you Money
If you go into a real estate transaction without representation, it's very possible that you'll pay more for a home than you need to?especially in purchases of new construction. A professional real estate agent will negotiate on your behalf, with your best interests always as their number one priority. This means that they'll work hard to get you the house you want for the lowest price the market will bear.
He or she can also offer guidance in terms of financing. She will probably recommend that you get pre-qualified for a mortgage before you start house hunting. Having a realistic idea of your price range will make it much easier to shop for properties. Your realtor will only show you places that are within your budget, thereby reducing the chance that you'll try to buy a house beyond your financial means. This will save you disappointment, money, and time.
3) They'll Protect your Interests
The purchase price is not the only point you're going to have to negotiate when you purchase real estate. There's also the contract to think about, which may include contingencies that benefit either the seller or yourself. If you try to buy without an agent, then it's imperative that you consult with a real estate attorney. If you don't understand the contract, don't sign it. If you don't know what contingencies to ask for or which ones to reject, you could end up with a real mess at closing.
A realtor will be able to advise on matters of contingencies, as well as draft the contract for you, and negotiate the terms of closing.
4) They Can Reduce your Stress Level
Having representation will help immensely in terms of making your real estate purchase go smoothly. He will find the properties, arrange showings, and advise you on the purchase offer. He will create an offer that will be fair and beneficial to you, and take care of the logistical concerns involved with closing. As well, he can put you in touch with other industry professionals such as home inspectors and moving companies that have good reputations in the community.
A good realtor can also be a major source of support during a potentially overwhelming period in your life. They have been through hundreds of sales, so trust in their experience and expertise. They can give advice, be an ear to talk to, and be a partner on your home-buying journey.
5) They will Cost you Nothing
Buyer's agents are typically paid by the seller, so you have nothing to lose by hiring an agent.
Both Jamie Hanson & M are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.